Time system



J. C. WILSON.

TIME SYSTEM.

APPLICATION men NOV. 4. m2.

1 ,1 94,9 1 1 Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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J. C. WILSON.

TIME SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 4,1912. 1 1 94,9 1 1 Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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J. C. WILSON.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFF JOHN G. WILSON, 0F BQSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TIME SYSTEM.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

ie it known that 1, JOHN C. VVILsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State of lllassmchusetts, have invented an Improvement in Time Systems, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. i

This invention relates to time systems comprising master and secondary clocks and is directed more particularly to the construction and arr; ngeincnt of the make and break contacts in the circuits for transmitting the time beats from the master to the secondary clocks.

Ileretofore the beats have been effected through the instrumentality of a delicate contact spring forming one contact of the circuit intermittently engaged by a contact rotated with the minute wheel of the clock to close the circuit once, twice or four times a minute. One of the principal difficulties with this arrangement is that the contacts have been located within the clock mechanism, or in such a manner as to be so inaccessible as to prevent changing, repairing or cleanii'ig the contacts without taking the clock apart. Therefore, to repair them it has been necessary to throw the whole system out of service.

The minute wheel of the clock has very little power, and therefore the very delicate contact spring had to be used in order that the wiping engagement of one contact withthe other should. not act as a brake to objectionably impede the operation of the clock. in the use of such a light spring the contact is very lia le to become imperfect either from the corrosion of the contacts themselves or from the variable resistance caused by particles of dust or foreign matter which are liable to get between the contacts.

My invention aims to overcome the above and other obj ections.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiinent thereof shown in the accompanying dra wings, wherein Figure l is a front elevation of an illus- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 4, 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916,

Serial No. 722,364.

trative master clock of a time system embodying the invention, part of the dial of. the clock being broken away to disclose a portion of the contact mechanism within the clock; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a time system embodying the invention with the dial of the master clock removed; Fig. 3 is a plan of parts of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Figs. f and 5 are details to be referred to; Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale shows the master clock pendulum and circuits, contacts and connections for secondary clocks associated therewith; and Fig. 7 is a detail to be referred to.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative improvement in time s stems shown herein as embodying the invention comprises a master clock A (Fig. 1) and one or more secondary clocks such as B. The illustrative master clock has a pendulum A and may be equipped with a usual automatic electro-magnetic winding mechanism comprising a coil magnet 1 and an armature 3 for operating a pawl 5 to advance a ratchet 7 step-by-step, said ratchet being connected to the usual mainspring (not shown). Any suitable type of usual electro-magnetically controlled secondary clock may 1 be used. he master clock is connected to the secondary clocks by a circuit and electrical connections more fully hereinafter described.

The master clock may be arranged to cause a beat to be transmitted to the secondary clock once every second, or once, twice, three or four times a minute, or any other number of times per minute desired. The minute or fraction of a minute beats may be trans mitted from the minute shaft of the master clock and the second beats may be transmitted from the pendulum of the master clock. First the mechanism for transmitting the minute or fraction of a minute beats will be described, The beats are transmitted from the master clock to the secondary clocks by makin and breaking the circuit between them. To this end the master clock (Fig. 1) may be provided with one or more long contact levers such as 11, varying in number according to the number of beats which it is desired to transmit per minute. As shown herein, the lever is provided for transmitting beats at minute intervals. A similar lever 12 is provided for making and breaking the circuit to the coil of the Winding magnet, said lcver being also oierated at minute intervals, but at times thirty seconds apart from the operation of the secondary circuit lever 11. These levers 11 and 12 are pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 13 projecting laterally from a bracket 15 secured to the frame of the master clock.

The above mentioned levers project in t0- ward the minute shaft of the master clock time train and have rounded ends 17 for engagement with rollers 19 secured to the ends of short arms 21 projecting from a sleeve 23 fast on said minute shaft; or in some cases the rollers may be on the ends of the long levers 11 and fl instead of on said short arms The roller arms 21 are diametrically opposite to and oli'set from one another (Fig. Since the minute shaft makes a complete rotation each minute a contact lever is rocked on each half rotation of said sha t that is to say, every half minute. To hold the contact lovers in engagement with the rollers oit said minute ft arms, said levers may be provided with w ights 2 5 which may be adjusted along aid levers to vary the pressure of their en- 'ement if desired.

1e contact le 'ers project away froin the \Z beyoiul their fulcrum stud shaft 13 and are pro ided at their outer ends with pointed contacts 2. (Fig. 2) threaded or otherwise connected to said levers. These contacts are adapted for engagement with fixed contacts 29 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) of resilient material having ends fixed in recesses in contact block 31. The outer free ends of said contacts may be pressed away from said blocks more or less by screws 33. The contact carrying blocks are set in grooves in a bracke block (Fig. 3) of rubber or other insulation material projecting from the outer fre end of the bracket 15. To secure said contact blocks 31 to Siltl bracket block and enable tl e adjustment of said contact blocks toward or from the long lever contacts 27, said contact blocks are connected to said ln'acket block by screws 37 entered through elongated slots 39 in said contact blocks. To facilitate the adjustment or removal of said contact carrying bloc ts they may be provided with terminal balllike handles all.

Each of the long contact levers is carefully balanced in order that it may be rocked by the minute shaft arms with as little burden as possible upon the minute shaft. The long levers enable a large arc of rock, making the contact positive and certain.

By the construction described the contacts are located exteriorly of the master clock time train in positions where they are conveniently accessible for replacement and repair without the necessity of disturbing the clock mechanism.

in important feature of the invention relates to the provision of substitute contacts. To this end there is provided a pair of levers 1:2 and d3 similar to the leicrs 11 and 12 described and cooperating with roller arms on the minute that; and with tiara contacts similar to those described for said levers ll and 12.

To throw one set of lwers into operation and the other set out of operation. a switch is provide 5 comprising diametrically opposite arms 1.5 L and il) located beneath the contact levers fast on. a shaft -17 jour naled in hearings in an arm 19 projecting out from the bracket 15 referred to. To adjust this shaft it is provided with a disk handle 51 (Figs. 3 and adapted to be held in either of two positions by the engagement of a spring linger :13 with one or anothc r of two diametrically opposed notches 55 in said disk handle.

To limit the rocking of the levers under the action of their weights and to press the levers against the switch arms e115, leaf springs 57 Figs. 2 and may be provided having ends fixed to a stud 59 projecting from the bracket 15 and having free ends for engagement with said levers after they have been lifted a predetermined. extent.

Vhen it is desired to render one set of levers operative and the other set inopera tive, the disk handle is given a half turn, causing one of switch arms -1 to lift one set of levers and the other set of switch arms to release the other set of levers. This can time between beats so that therev 1 COT .cv, o

be done at a is no lost inniulse. ll ith one set of lovers in inoperative position their contacts may be readily replaced or repaired without interfering with the continued operation of the time system.

Having described the contacts of the inaster clock for making and breaking the circuit from the master to the ffilft'mlllnlff clocks, and for making and brcal-ting the circuit to the electroinagnet for winding t a 1nas"er clock, the circuit from the master to the secondary clock will first be described and then the circuit for the electromagnetic winding mechanism will be described.

The circuit from the master to the illustrative secondary clock comprises a battery 61 having its positive electrode connectial by a wire a and branch wires u, u with the long contact levers 11 and 412 referred to. The fixed contacts 29 for the levers 11 and 42 are connected by branch wires of, a with a Wire a connected to a binding the secondary clock, said binding post being connected by a wire (not shown) to the coil magnet of the secondary clock and thence post (3 on to a second binding post on said secondary clock, said binding post being con nected by a wire a to the negative electrode of the battery (31 referred to. Each time the minute shaft of the master clock makes a complete rotation its arm 19 will engage the end of the long lever 11 and rock the same in a contra-clockwise direction, causing its contact point to firmly press against the spring contact 29. This will complete the circuit and cause a current to pass from the battery 61 through the wires a, a, along lever 11, contact 29, through branch wire a thence through wire a" to the binding post 63 and coil of the secondary clock magnet, to the binding post 65 and thence through wire a to the negative terminal of the battery 61. This will energize the magnet of the secondary clock, causing its armature to rock and through the pawl and ratchet operated thereby will advance the secondary clock a minute. The continued rotation of the minute shaft of the master clock causes the roller 19 of the arm 21 to pass beyond the end of the long lever 11, whereupon the latter, under the action of its weight 25, will be rocked in a clockwise direction, causing the disengagement of the contact point 27 from the fixed spring contact 29, thereby lnreaking the circuit. In a similar manner the circuit from the master clock to the secondary clock is made and broken once every minute.

If it is desired to clean, repair or replace either the point contact 27 of the lever 11 or the fixed spring contact 29 cooperating therewith the switch 45 is turned a half rotation, throwing the lever 11 out of operation. and its substitute lever 42 into operati on. The latter lever is then in commission to perform the make and break operations similar to those described. in connection with the lever 11.

The circuit for the winding magnet will next be described. This circuit comprises a battery 67 (Fig. 2) connected by a wire 7) with branch wires Z) leading to the long levers 12 and 43 respectively. The fixed spring contacts 29 cooperating with said levers are connected by branch wires with a wire 6 connected to a wire 6 constituting the coil of the winding magnet 1 referred to. The opposite end of this magnet coil wire Z) is connected by a wire 5 with the negative terminal of the battery 67. On each complete rotation of the minute shaft the lever 12 is rocked, causing its point to engage the fixed contact spring 29 cooperating therewith. This completes the circuit to the magnet of the winding mechanism, causing a current to pass from the battery (37 through the wires 7), Z) along the lever 12 to the fixed contact 29, thence through one of the branch wires 5 through the wire 6 to the magnet coil 6 through the latter and thence through the wire 5 back to the negative terminal of the battery 67. The completion. of this circuit energizes the magnet 1, attracts the armature 3, rocking the pawl 5, and advances the ratchet 7 a step, thereby tensioning the mainspring of the clock. In the course of the rotation of the minute shaft the arm roller 19 will pass beyond the end of the lever 12, releasing the latter to the action of its weight 25. This will cause the lever 12 to rock in a clockwise direction and away from the fixed spring contact 29, thereby breaking the circuit. In a. similar manner the circuit for the clock winding magnet will be made and broken each minute, thereby automatically maintaining the clock continuously wound.

Having described the mechanism for transmitting minute beats from the primary to the secondary clock, I will next describe the mechanism for transmitting second beats from the master to the secondary clocks, having more particular reference to 1 and (3. The transmission of these second beats may be conveniently controlled by the pendulum of the master clock. An arrang ment of substitute contacts coiiperatin g with the pendulum will next be described and then the circuits controlled thereby. Within the clock casing and secured to a wall there of on opposite sides of the pendulum (Fi 6) there may be provided T shaped brackets (39 each supporting an insulation block 71. On opposite sides of each block mounted metal angle strips 7 3 having thereon binding posts and contact carrying metal angle strips 77. To the latter are secured ends of resilient contacts 79. These resilient contacts thus mounted are spaced apart in opposed relation. To vary the distance between them the contact carrying strips 77 may be slotted and slide along the angle strip 73 and be held in different positions of adjustment by suitable screws.

One leg of each. T shaped bracket 69 projects upward and carries a fulcrum pin 81 on which is pivoted a contact lever 83 having button-like contacts U? at one end thereof. To rock this contact lever from the pendulum and cause the contact end thereof to engage with one or another of the resilient contacts 79, the upper end of said contact lever 83 is connected by a link 85 with a pin 87 (Fig. 7) of fiber or other suitable insulation material projecting from said pendulum.

By the above described construction each time the pendulum swings the contact end of the lever 83 will engage one of the resilient contacts 79.

To support the end of the link 85 when inoperative, as more fully hereinafter described, a pin 89 may be provided projectcontact lever actuating link 85 at the left of said ligure is placed on the pendulum pin 8'? :nd then the contact lever actuating link at the right of Fig. (3 is lifted from the pendulum pin and placed on the stationary pintl 'lhe circuits cooperating with the substitute make and break contact sets controlled by the master clock pendulum, each comprises a battery 91 or other suitable source of electricity having its positive terminal connected by wire 0 with one terminal of the pendulum controlled contacts 79. The contact lever 83 is connected by a wire 0 with a polaized relay 93, the latter being connected by a wire a with said battery 01. The negative terminal of the battery 01 is connected by a wire 0 with the binding post 77 of the other contact 79.

The movement of the relay armature is utilized to make and break a local circuit for controlling trie secondary clocks. This local circuit includes batteries 95 and 97 connected in parallel with the secondary clocks by a positive wire P leading from the positive terminal of the battery and a negative wire N connected to the negative terminal of the battery. The coils of the secondary clocks B, B are connected to these positive and negative wires by branch wires (1, 1 To enable the use of either or both of the batteries J5 and 07 they may be provided with switches 95 and 07 conveniently interposed between the positive terminals of said batteries and the positive wire P.

In order that the relay armature 03 cooperating with the right hand contact may control the local. circuit, the positive wire 1 is interrupted by a switch $0 and a terminal 90 thereof is connected with the fulcrum end the relay armature 9 3 by a wire (F. The free end of said armature oscillates between a dead contact 101 and an active contact 10 the latter being connected to the positive wire P by a wire (Z.

in order that the armature 0 3 of the left contact set may control said set, the negative wire I? may be interrupted by a switch 105, the terminal 105" of which may be connected to the fulcrum end of the armature 93 by a wire (Z The free end of the armature 93 cooperates with a dead contact 109 and an active contact 111, the latter being connected to the negative wire N by a wire d.

The operation of the alternative control for the secondary clock circuit from the master clock circuit will now be described. It may be supposed that the contact lever actuating link 85 at the right of Fig. (3 is connected to the pendulum and that the battery switch 95 is closed, the battery switch 07 is open, the negative wire switch 105 is closed,

shutting out the left relay armature 93, and that the positive .line switch 09 is open. This renders the right relay active and the left relay inactive. is the clock pendulum swings back and forth the link 85 will rock the contact arm 83 and cause its contact buttons 83 alternately to engage with the op posed spring contacts 79. This will alternately change the direction of the current through the polarized relay and cause the armature 03" thereof to swing alternately into engagement with the dead contact 101 and active contact 103, simulating the swinging movement of the clock pendulum. When the relay armature swings into engagement with the active contact 103 the current will pass from the positive electrode of the battery through the switch 05, wire P, branch wire d, through the relay armature 03*, active contact 103, wire (Z' branch wires (Z, through the coils of the secondary clock 13 and 15, thence through branch wires (Z and switch 105 to the negative wire N, back to the negative terminal of the battery 95. T iis will energize the coils of the magnets of the secondary clocks and through the armatures and pawl and ratchet mechanism actuated thereby cause the secondary clocks each to be advanced one second. The swing of the clock pendulum in an opposite direction will cause the polarized relay armature 02-3 to rock out of engagement with the active contact 103 into engagement with the dead contact 101. This will break the circuit. In a similar manner second beats will be continuously transmitted from the master clock to the secondary clocks so long as the contact arm at the right of Fig. 6 is in operation. lVhenever the contacts controlled by this lever require cleaning or repair, the contacts at the left of the pendulum are placed in operation instead thereof. To eifect this the left link 85 is lifted from the stationary pin and placed on the pendulum pin 87. The left relay switch 105 is then opened, thereby rendering both the right and left relays active. So long as both links are connected to the pendulum and both switches 00 and 105 are open, both the right and left relays will be eiiective in controlling the beats transmitted through the local circuit. Both links are permitted to remain connccted with the pendulum merely momentarily in order to prevent any loss of beats during the process of substituting one set of contacts for the other. The right hand link is then disconnected from the clock pendulum and placed on the stationary pin 89 and the right relay switch 91) is closed, thereby shutting out the right relay. The left hand link alone now becomes effective in controlling the circuit. The battery switch 97 may now be closed and the battery switch 95 opened to shut out the battery 95 if desired, although either or both batteries 95 and 97 may be used during the operation of either the right or left set of pendulum actuated. contacts. Two batteries are provided consistent with the carrying of the duplicate idea throughout the system, providing one set of devices for substitution for another set of devices wherever repair may be necessary.

While the secondary clocks are described above as connected in. parallel, it will be understood that they might be connectedv in series if desired. lVhile two secondary clocks are shown. for purposes of illustration, it will be obvious that any number may be used as desired. The provision of a local circuit controlled. by a polarized relay is an advantageous arrangement since it insures certainty of operation with small expenditure of electricity.

So far as I am aware, I am the first to provide in a time system including master and secondary clocks, substitute sets of contacts which may be alternatively used in order to enable cleaning, replacement and repair of contacts and connections without interrupting the transmission of beats; a mechanism for transmitting second beats from master to secondary clocks; and an electric circuit including a relay having an armature moving in unison with the swing of the pendulum.

The value of a time system such as described herein depends upon the certainty with which the transmission of the beats can be relied upon. By my invention, weak, wiping contacts are eliminated and instead thereof movable contacts are pressed firmly against fixed, yielding contacts, insuring the bringing oi the two into complete, efi ective electrical contact. Furthermore, the con: tacts are located cxteriorly of the clock mechanism where they are conveniently accessible for ready replacement, adjustment and repair.

It will be understood that the selected devices shown herein are for purposes of illustration and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is not indispensable that all of the devices be used conjointly since some of them may be used separately to advantage.

Having described one embodiment of the invention, without limiting the same thereto, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a time system, the combination of master and secondary clocks with means for transmitting time beats from said master clock to said secondary clock including a circuit, fixed contacts,tuka'unied contact levers, means operated by the master clock for rock ing said levers into make and break engagement with said fixed contacts, whereby to control the electric action oi? the circuit, said means arranged to permit the shifting of circuit control from one to another of said levers without loss of beats.

2. In a time system, the combination of master and secondary clocks with means to transmit time beats from said master to said secondary clocks including a circuit, readily accessible fixed contacts, iulcrumed levers having contact ends for make and break engagement with said fixed contacts and ends adjacent the master clock, means in the latter for moving said ends to tilt said levers into make and break engagement with said fixed contacts, whereby to control the electric action of said circuit, said means arranged to permit the shifting oi circuit con trol from one to another of said levers without loss of time bats and means to hold one of said levers in an inoperative position for permitting access thereto for cleaning, re placement or repair.

3. In a time system, the combination of a master clock with one or more secondary clocks and means for transmitting time beats from the former to the latter including an electric circuit, substitute contact actuating members for said circuit, and means for connecting said members to said master clock having provision permitting the connecting of one and disconnecting or" the other from said clock without losing a beat.

4-. In a time system the combination of a master clock having a pendulum with one or more secondary clocks and means for transmitting time beats from the former to the latter including an electric circuit, substitute contact actuating members, and means for connecting said members to said pendulum having provision permitting the connecting of one and disconnecting of the other from said pendulum without losing a beat.

5. In a time system, the combination of master and secondary clocks with means for transmitting time beats from said master clock to said secondary clocks including a circuit, fixed contacts, fulcrumed contact levers, means operated by the master clock for rocking said levers into make and break engagement with said. fixed contacts, whereby to control the electric action of the circuit, a shaft adapted "for manual operation and having arms thereon extending in difrerent radm]. drreetrons and arranged to contnct severally wrth (hfierent levers on move- In testhnony whereof, I have signed my name to fins speelfiencron, 1n the presence of two subserllnng WItDQSQQS.

ment of the shaft whereby to move a lever JOHN C. XVILSON. from the range of 521d roehlng means and fitnesses:

bring another Within the same between sue- Qemhng tune heats.

IIENRY T. \VILLnUIs, Evnnnirr S. Emnn'.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

